Congratulations Marybeth!!

The kids will be out in a few short days. We have two year-end assemblies and two year-end parties this week! Summer is around the corner. It’s must be time to go to the beach or spend a few afternoons at the pool…and I have the perfect book to read while you do!

My friend, Marybeth Whalen, has just released her first novel today The Mailbox and it is the perfect vacation read! I got to read a review copy in January and LOVED IT!!

Centered on a real landmark on the coast of North Carolina,The Mailbox blends intriguing folklore and true faith with raw contemporary issues that affect every woman. When Lindsey Adams first visits the Kindred Spirit mailbox at Sunset Beach, North Carolina, she has no idea that twenty years later she will still be visiting the mailbox—still pouring out her heart in letters that summarize the best and worst parts of her life.

Returning to Sunset Beach for her first vacation since her husband left her, Lindsey struggles to put her sorrow into words. Memories surface of her first love, Campbell—and the rejection that followed. When Campbell reappears in her life, Lindsey must decide whether to trust in love again or guard herself from greater pain. The Mailbox is a rich novel about loss, hope, and the beauty of second chances.

Want a chance to win a beach bag filled with The Mailbox plus other goodies for a great summer afternoon?

AND for a chance to win just the book, leave a comment on my blog congratulating Marybeth, sharing why you’d like to win a copy of The Mailbox and who you’ll give it to after you finish reading it, and I’ll give away a copy, too! Please include your email so I can reach you if you win my copy.

***************UPDATE******************Random Integer chose… commenter #7 as the winner for my single copy of The Mailbox!
Congratulations Jekka!

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, story-teller, heart-encourager and grace-needer. She's also a wife, mom, friend, daughter and author of A Confident Heart, a Retailers Choice Award winning book that became a best-seller and has been published in six languages, with over 150,000 copies sold. Renee is speaks around the country at women's events and and serves on the writing team for DaySpring’s inCourage blog. For twenty years, Renee served in leadership at Proverbs 31 Ministries and as former co-host of the ministry's radio program, “Everyday Life with Lysa & Renee.

Wow, what a week for MaryBeth…a big birthday, new book release! Congratulations on both! I'd love to win the book, read it, write a review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and then I would lend it to Rhea (sister) who would lend it to Kim (co-worker) who would lend it to Pam (my friend) who would lend it to Cheryl (her sister), unless by this time they had all bought the book, which would be better! Hugs, Renee!

I'm always looking for new "fun" books to read. Since I'm in college and about to enter a really rigorous program this fall, God has been teaching me about taking time to breathe in the midst of the craziness. He's been allowing great books to cross my path that are fun as well as life-changing. I would love to read MaryBeth's book because

1) what an inspiration!! A mom with SIX kids can find time to write a book?? What's my excuse?!?!? and

2) it would be a great "fun" book to pass along to my sisters and my friends.

Congratulations to MaryBeth. I wanted to read this book because it was written by MaryBeth. Then I read the overview on SheReads and REALLY wanted to read it. Sunset Beach is favorite vacation spot and I had no clue that the Kindred Spirit Mailbox existed.

If I win, I am going to donate it to my church library after I read it.

Congratulations to Marybeth on the novel! I was just thinking I needed to find a novel to read now that its summer and I will have a little more time. When I am finished reading it I will be certain to pass it down to Lauren, my daughter who is 21, she loves to read. Looking forward to your book Renee. Hugs,Margaret S.

Oh Renee, I can't wait to read this book!!! I read Chapter One on-line, and it 'wet my whistle' and has me longing to hear the rest of the story. I'm so excited for Marybeth, and expressed my congratulations to her in person just a couple of weeks ago when she was here in Canada!

Reading Marybeth's heart behind the story just touched me so deeply. Her intimacy with the Savior renewed my longing for that deeper connection. It made me pull His Love Letter to me out again, His Word, and know His presence and friendship as He was sitting next to me.

Who would I give it to? You mean for keeps? LOL! After passing it through my family, I would either donate it to our Church Library or Public Library so it could be read many times over (and where I could borrow it and read it again!).

Love ya friend. Trust all is well with you. My son still has a month of school, but we're coming down the home stretch.

Congratulations MaryBeth for following your dream and allowing God to use you to inspire us with this book.

Renee what a wonderful friend you are to offer a book for a congratulations and a comment.

I love to read and go through several books a week especially during the summer. I'd pass this book along to my best friend Dell who has walked behind, beside and in front of me these past four years as my angel here on earth sharing in my highs, lows and everything in between because that's what best friends do. They share.

I would love to read this book! It sounds so good! I love a good book! And I have just the friend to pass it on to after I read it. Oh, wait. I have two friends who would love to read it. Hmmmm…maybe I'll have to have my own contest between my two friends to see which one gets it first. 😉

Thanks for giving one away here, too, Renee! (Can't wait until people are giving YOUR book away!)

Congrats MaryBeth!!!!!! What an accomplishment. I would love to have this book because christian novels just inspire me to keep on standing for Christ. They are a ministry for those of us who love to read. If I were to win , I would pass this book on to my dear friend, Mandy. We would both reap the benefits, I'm certain. 🙂

I read about this book yesterday on the P31 devotional. And I thought "wow, what a great book this will be"

Your devotional on "Even this" was such a blessing. We serve such an awesome God – He is so amazing – sending us confirmations of His unfailing love and presense just when we need it the most. I am dealing with some stuff at the moment and the devotional and the reference to your book was just what I needed. I have a habit of journaling every day – that is my way of talking to God – after I read "Even This" I just proceeded to thank God for his awesomeness and faithfullness to encourage me just at the perfect moment.

Thanks for being obedient to share "your stuff" – it is an inspiration and God speaks through you.

Congratulations to Marybeth – what a woman – 6 children AND a writer…!!

I love the idea of the Mailbox – struggling with loss, learning to trust…the healing that comes from writing, pouring out one's heart…it's inspiring. I love to read novels by Christian writers – the inspiration by them is so God-breathed it almost oozes out of the papers. I'd love to read this book.

And I'd lend it to a friend who is searching for God and hasn't yet found Him, her Kindred Spirit she hasn't yet recognized. And then another. And another – so many beautiful women who are still searching…

Our family used to vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina when we were younger. We did so for about four years in a row. Then we all grew up. I think that reading the book would take me back to those sandy beaches and wondrous waves. The front cover already has me halfway there.